Brick by Brick (18 page)

“I wasn’t going to worry,” James objected.

“Well, I will.”

“Really?” Gage squatted by the sofa so he could kiss my cheek. “Nobody ever asked me to call when I got there before, except for business. Nobody who cared about me.”

I fit my hand to the pink mark where I’d slapped him, fainter now but still visible. “I care. Call.” I sat up, scribbled our number on the edge of the newspaper, tore it off, and handed it to him. “Put this in your wallet.”

“It’ll be late.”

“I know. I’ll be out here, awake, and if he’s as smart as I think he is, James will unplug the phone.”

“Nah, I’m just not that smart. Come on, Gage. If we’re stopping at your hotel, we need to get going.”

James returned within the hour. “I just dropped him off,” he said.

“Think he’ll be back?”

“Are we going to do this every time you’re on your period, or only every time he leaves town? Because that’s going to be all the damned time once his agent gets his shit together.”

“I hit him, and you hid him. And that’s just today. What if he decides he doesn’t need the hassle?”

James smiled, the bemused, superior one that annoys me. “You don’t get it, do you?”

“Obviously you think I don’t.”

“Come on, Nat; let me be the smart one once in a while.”

“Okay. Impress me, Einstein.”

“Think about it, Miss Smarty-pants.” He grinned, lopsided. “He gets more out of it than we do. When he’s not with us, he’s alone.”

“I doubt it.”

“Not alone-alone. Maybe he gets laid, maybe fans love him, but nobody asks him to call when he gets there or wants to know how his day was, because they don’t really give a damn. That kind of alone.”

“I hate it when you’re right.”

“Funny, I feel exactly the opposite. He’ll be back. And we’ll work harder to make it so good he’ll never want to leave again. Whatever shall we do in the meantime?”

“I still have cramps.”

“I stopped at the liquor store. They had a lot of whites in the refrigerator case. Let’s get you a glass of wine and watch TV.”

“Will you cuddle even though it’s hot and I’m grumpy?”

“Of course. Just don’t think you’re getting the remote.”

* * * *

I still lay awake on the sofa when the phone rang. I snatched it up, even though James wasn’t likely to wake up if he’d unplugged it.

“She’s not here, but I’m not as worried,” Gage said. “The place is clean, and there’s a suitcase on the bed, like she was packing and changed her mind which one to take. I can’t find a toothbrush anywhere. And the air’s off, like you do when you’re going to be away.”

“So she went on a little trip.”

“Yeah, I think so. Now I’m not sure what to do.”

“Leave her a note that you’re in town, stopped by, saw she was away, and to call when she comes back?”

“Yeah, but what do I do?”

“With your time? Talk to your agent about—”

A clatter in my ear announced James had picked up the extension in the bedroom. “Hi,” he said.

“I didn’t mean to wake you up,” Gage said.

“You didn’t. I left the phone plugged in on purpose. She home?”

“No, but it looks like she packed a suitcase, so I’m not as worried.”

“But still worried some,” James said.

“Yeah. Things will look better in the morning if I can get some sleep. Cross your fingers for me.”

“Know what you need?” James said.

“Besides sleep? What?”

“Some phone sex.”

Hissing silence, then Gage said, “Yeah?”

“Yeah. What’s your room like?”

“I’m still at Rowan’s.”

“Worried about her walking in on you?”

“Well, it’d be pretty freaky to come home and find your brother beating it in your kitchen.”

“E-e-ew,” I said. “Not in the kitchen.”

“Go into the bathroom and lock the door,” James said.

“You sure this isn’t too weird?” We heard his footsteps, softer when the floor covering changed, and a door closing. “Now what?”

Chapter Twenty-Five

“Are you still wearing the suit?” James said.

“Except the jacket. I should have taken a later flight. Then I’d have had time to catch another shower and change.”

“The suit is good, for this. Put your phone on speaker and set it someplace.”

“Just a second, I forget how. Oh, there. Got it. Can you still hear me?”

“Yes,” I said, “but you sound different. Hollow and echoing, like you were in a bathroom or something.”

“Ha-ha,” Gage said.

“Turn off the light,” James said, “and undo your belt.”

I held my breath, listening to the metallic clinks that meant obedience.

“Good,” I said, “now—”

“—unbutton, unzip, and let the pants drop. Keep your underwear on. Boxers?” Did James realize he’d interrupted? Probably not.

“Yeah,” Gage said. “Better with a suit.”

“Whatever. Stroke through the cloth, nice and light.”

“Uh-huh. Nice and light.”

“That’s my hand,” I said, hoping I sounded sexier than I felt.

“It’s Natalie touching me. Light, real light,” Gage agreed. “It gets my attention, like whispering instead of yelling.”

“My hand’s in back.” James’s tone had gone gruff. “I’m petting that nice ass, but not as light as Nat. I’m just not that gentle. Going all over it, everywhere but your little asshole. Are you doing it?”

“Yeah.” Gage’s voice had become a little breathy.

“No, you’re not. I’m doing it. Me and Natalie. My hand’s all over your ass, again and again, mostly the lowest part, coming closer and closer to your asshole but not touching it yet.”

“Please,” Gage said.

“Are you hard?”

“God, yes.”

“Natalie’s grabbing you through the cloth. Her whole hand’s wrapped around your cock.”

Shouldn’t Natalie dictate that? I inhaled to add to it, but James started up again.

“My hand might’ve found the missing asshole. One finger’s rubbing around and around it. Still not touching it, though.”

“Uh-huh.” Gage sounded drugged and dopey.

“Round and round, and now right on it, exploring, only the outside. Finally, huh? You like that?”

“You know I do.”

“Show me you do. Offer it up.”

“I’m lifting it up. Presenting it to you,” Gage said.

“You only present your ass when it’s bare. Got that?”

“Yes, sir. Please, can I lose the shorts?”

“Soon,” James promised. “Natalie’s got her hand inside them now.”

“Oh, yeah.”

“She gives a good handjob, doesn’t she?”

“Yeah.” Gage emitted a small laugh. “It’s like she knows exactly what I want.”

“Are you still sore in back, from the other night?” James asked.

“Only a little. The ointment stuff helps a lot.”

“Good. You all slicked up with it now?”

“I guess. I used it before I left the hotel.”

“Next time, I want to watch.”

“No,” Gage said.

At least he still held on to some shred of his dignity where James’s demands were concerned.

“Boxers down, and present your butt to me.”

Gage’s voice boomed. “Is bent over the counter all right?”

He must be nearer the phone. “Sure,” I said.

“Natalie’s really working you now,” James said smoothly.

Gage said, “She’s got two hands. Working you too, I think.”

James chuckled. “Yeah, she is. Long arms on that woman. I’m not touching you now, just eating up how good it looks.”

“Don’t look for too long.”

“Why, is there something you want?”

“You know I do.”

“Say it, Gage. I like to hear you say it.”

“I know. Fuck my ass. Please.”

“Maybe in a little while. Now, I have to play with it. My finger’s there, tickling at the outside, and going in just a little, not even up to the first knuckle.”

Gage’s breathing was louder.

“Does that hurt?”

“No. Please.”

“Please what?”

“Please slide your finger in all the way, slow.”

“My pleasure. I’m up to the first knuckle now, pushing but not hard. I love how tight you are, and how slippery. Second knuckle?”

“Yeah. More. All of it.”

“Of course. Here you go, all the way in, right to the web. And I’m turning it a little, just staying in there deep. Hard to say which I like more, seeing it up close or your face while I do it.”

“God, James, it feels so good. So right.”

“That’s because it is good. It is right,” James said. “I need to know how hot it’s making you.”

“I could come in, I don’t know, a couple of minutes.”

“Take it out,” James said at once.

“I really miss it. I feel empty.”

“And none of that hurt?”

“No. I’m fine.”

“Good, because you’re going to take two fingers, and once they’re in nice and deep, I’m going to fuck you with them. If you ask nice,” James added.

“Please, Jamie, please, put two fingers in my ass and fuck me with them, right now.”

“All right. Slow and easy again. No rough stuff for you until you’re healed.”

“Whatever you say. Both at once?”

Had they forgotten I was on the extension? Maybe so. Since my cramps were bad enough that this wasn’t arousing me, I suppose it didn’t matter.

“Yes. The pointer and the middle finger together.”

“They feel big.”

“I know. Let yourself stretch, and stop if it hurts, even a little.”

“Up to the first knuckle,” Gage reported.

“Good, I’m going to hold it right there for a minute, until I feel you get loose.”

I’d have hung up if the click wouldn’t have reminded them I existed.

“I’m looser already. Because I want you. Can I put them all the way in?”

“No, but I can. God, Natalie’s doing me so fast my skin’s hot.”

Gage didn’t laugh. “Me too. All the way in now.”

“You like that, my fingers deep inside your ass?”

“I don’t like it; I love it.”

“I know. Natalie’s on her knees in front of you now. Want her mouth?”

The idea of taking his thick penis in my mouth brought my gorge up, but I waited it out. I wouldn’t vomit, since I’d hardly eaten.

“Oh, yeah. I love the way she looks up at me when she’s doing it. Those green eyes, like a cat.”

“Yeah, I’ve always liked that too. Spit on your hand, or lick it and drool. Get it wet, like Natalie’s mouth.”

The idea of spitting made my nausea rise, and the sound of it forced me to clamp down my throat.

“I’m moving my fingers in and out, not a lot. From the second knuckle to the web and back again, while Nat’s looking up at you like she does. Tell me when she makes you come,” James said.

“Soon. Real soon. Natalie, I’m going to come in your mouth, I am, is that okay?”

I couldn’t answer. Despite my efforts, I retched in a halfhearted attempt to empty my belly. I was glad I hadn’t eaten dinner.

“It’s fine,” James said. “Hot. She’ll swallow.”

A tinny, high keening sound, made near Gage’s phone, almost pained my ear. The familiar mew was shorter, and I understood he’d held his mouth closed when he orgasmed, as long as he was able.

“Good, good boy.” James purred his approval. “I’m taking my fingers out, and taking Natalie back so I can come in her mouth too.”

Again I retched silently.

“Not Natalie’s mouth,” Gage said. “Mine. I owe you, and I want to so much.”

“It’s easier on the phone,” James said.

“I know. You taste good, salty, and I’ve got so much of you in that I’m almost choking. But I don’t mind.”

“Faster, Gage.”

“Yeah, faster. Like this.”

“Even faster. Now, take it all.”

Gage made a too-convincing gagging sound. “It makes my eyes water, so they shine when I look up at you.”

James bawled like a steer in an old Western.

“Guess we all know what that means,” Gage said. “Sorry, I can’t swallow. Someday, huh?”

“It was good even without. Think you can sleep?”

“I’m thinking I might wash my hands and crash on Rowan’s sofa. Would that be too weird, if she comes home and I’m here?”

“Well,” I said, “sleeping in her bed would be weird, but in the living room with your shoes off seems okay. To me.”

“To me too,” James said and yawned.

“Then that’s what I’m going to do. You guys go back to bed. Good night. And thank you. Both.”

We hung up. James came out of the bedroom, blinking in the light. “Babe, I know you feel awful, and I’m sorry. Come to bed? Even if I can’t make you feel better, I can hold you.”

It made me feel better. Love’s like that.

* * * *

Gage called the next afternoon, late enough that I knew he’d been hoping James would be home. He wasn’t.

“She’s back.” Gage’s relief was evident. “Got home a half hour ago.”

“Where was she?”

“A retreat. I didn’t know this last rehab place hosts them, once a month. A long-term-goals thing. I guess some people who were drug users start drinking or sleeping around, like that. They help each other figure out what’s still missing in their lives that’s making them do self-destructive shit, and how they can stop.”

“That sounds like a good thing.”

“It is, I guess. She came home all hot to do something with herself. Until she saw me, anyway.”

“You’re still there?”

“Yeah. What’s the point of going home when I’d just keep checking back here? I could talk to people from here as easy as there. I’ve had the cell glued to my ear for five or six hours. Thanks for reminding me about the charger.”

“You’re welcome.”

“I hated to pick it up again after Rowan was done being pissed at me and went to shower, but I knew you’d worry.”

“I’ve worried all day. Even though I don’t know her, I’m glad she’s home and it was nothing.”

“Yeah, me too. I worried about you too. Are you still sick? I could send a catered dinner or something.”

“No, I’m cooking. It’s only bad for about a day and a half; then I’m okay.”

“Listen, is it a hassle if I stay awhile, since I’m here anyway? There’s some stuff I should do that’s easier in person.”

“Of course. I’m still on my period anyway.”

“Give me a break, huh? If it was just sex with a beautiful woman, I wouldn’t have to go to Tucson. This place is crawling with them.”

“No kidding. Well, except the beautiful-woman part.”